The best sports images from the last 24 hours

Ahmadinejad, Morales team up for soccer win

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Evo Morales have long been on the same side politically.

Now the presidents of Iran and Bolivia -- both harsh critics of the United States -- have literally teamed up, playing a friendly game of five-a-side soccer with professional players during Morales's state visit to Tehran.

State-run television on Wednesday showed Ahmadinejad scoring off a corner pass from Morales. The game ended 4-4 after regular time and the presidents went on to win 8-6 after a penalty shoot-out.

NBA frenzy grips Hollywood stars

The stars decended on the basketball courts of Los Angeles as the NBA season took off on Tuesday.

Among the big names from Hollywood, the cameras captured actor Denzel Washington (left) and English footballer star David Beckham chat animatedly during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets in California, on Tuesday.

Image: Actor Denzel Washington (left) and English footballer star David Beckham chat during the NBA game in Los Angeles, California, on TuesdayPhotographs: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Lakers struggle in opening game

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (right) hugs teammate Pau Gasol after receiving their NBA Championship rings from NBA Commissioner David Stern before their NBA season-opening game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.

The Lakers were indebted to bench players Shannon Brown and Steve Blake as they launched their NBA championship defence with a nail-biting 112-110 win over the Houston Rockets.

Brown knocked in four three-pointers and fellow guard Blake slotted three, the last of them with just 18.8 seconds left on the clock, as the Lakers came from 15 points behind.

Kobe Bryant, although not at his best after having off-season surgery on his right knee, scored 27 points for the Lakers while Spanish forward Pau Gasol added a game-high 29. Brown ended up with 16 points and Blake finished with 10.

Manchester United in League Cup quarters

Manchester United's Jonny Evans (right) challenges Wolverhampton Wanderers' Stephen Hunt (left) during their English League Cup match at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Mexican substitute Javier Hernandez scored a last-minute winner to send holders Manchester United into the League Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After a scrappy and goalless first half, the visitors twice came back from a goal down against a youthful United side before "Little Pea" Hernandez skipped past defenders to settle the tie in the 90th minute.

West Brom thump Leicester

West Bromwich Albion's Simon Cox (right) celebrates with Giles Barnes after scoring his second goal against Leicester City during their English League Cup match at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester, on Tuesday.

West Brom roared through to the last eight with a thumping 4-1 victory at former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's Championship (second division) side Leicester City.

In other League Cup results, Wigan Athletic beat second division Swansea City 2-0 with Argentine striker Mauro Boselli scoring his first goal for the club since his signing from Estudiantes.

The run of fourth division Northampton Town, who knocked out Liverpool at Anfield on penalties, ended at second division Ipswich Town where they lost 3-1 despite opening the scoring with a looping Liam Davis shot.

Image: West Bromwich Albion's Simon Cox (right) celebrates his second goal against Leicester City with Giles BarnesPhotographs: REUTERS/Darren Staples

Bastian brace aids Bayern

Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger jumps in the arms of coach Louis van Gaal as he celebrates after scoring against Werder Bremen during their German Soccer Cup (DFB-Pokal) match in Munich on Tuesday.

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored twice as Bayern Munich rallied to beat Werder Bremen 2-1 in the second round of the German Cup on Tuesday in a repeat of last season's final.

Bayern fell behind after only two minutes, when Claudio Pizarro scored. Schweinsteiger tied it in the 27th minute, then sealed the victory with a stunning shot from 30 yards in the 74th.

Schalke also advanced to the third round by winning 1-0 at second division FSV Frankfurt.

Pakistan go down in first T20 vs SA

Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez (2nd from right) celebrates after claiming the wicket of South Africa's Graeme Smith during their first Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Pakistan lost the match by six wickets after Pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe and off-spinner Johan Botha took three wickets each to help South Africa win the first Twenty20 international clash.

The victory gave the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The match was in aid of the flood victims in Pakistan.

Image: Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez (2nd from right) celebrates after claiming the wicket of South Africa's Graeme Smith during their first Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi on TuesdayPhotographs: REUTERS/Nikhil Monteiro

London to host US NFL match

London's Mayor Boris Johnson (centre) poses with US NFL football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, Shawntee Spencer, (3rd from left) club owner Jed York (3rd from right) and cheerleaders in the balcony at City Hall in London on Tuesday.

The 49ers play Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday in an NFL competitive match

Image: London's Mayor Boris Johnson (centre) poses with US NFL football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, Shawntee Spencer, club owner Jed York and cheerleaders from the balcony at City Hall in London on TuesdayPhotographs: REUTERS/Toby Melville